I remember as a child thinking that vacations, especially long summer vacations, seemed to last forever. The novelty of being away from school wore off pretty quickly and I spent many hours having fun or playing with friends.

Kids these days seem to have lost the art of playing games and keeping themselves busy and entertained without the help of technology in one way or another. They spend hours indoors staring at screens of varying sizes, and quite often, when they’re not playing, they’re simply playing the part of a willing audience.

It is important for children to socialize and also learn to occupy themselves. However, in these days of disjointed family relationships, it is crucial that we learn to bond with our children. Play is an essential element of the bonding process. It is essential that children learn to play alone, with siblings, friends and sometimes with strangers. They learn to make friends, share and cooperate; all the necessary skills throughout their lives.

Occupying and entertaining the kids on vacation doesn’t have to cost a fortune; It can be done very frugally and even for free!

On a sheet of paper, draw a shape (it doesn’t matter what shape or where you put it on the page); ask your son or daughter to turn the shape into a picture. This is a great activity to get kids’ minds working. I have used it with great success with children of all ages from 3 to 18 years old. It’s so much fun to see what each child comes up with. Of course, adults can participate too! Create a gallery or book of the finished images. Extend the activity by asking them to color the pictures and give them a title.

Fresh air is good for everyone, so don’t forget to get outside. Why not go on a bug hunt? How about counting the number of birds seen in 5 minutes? You could create a photographic record or chart. Cloud gazing is another fascinating way to pass the time. Children can describe the shapes they see. It is also a great opportunity to teach children about different cloud formations and types of weather in a fun and relaxed way.

Taking a long trip with kids, often an essential component of a vacation, can be a parent’s worst nightmare. However, with a little thought, it doesn’t have to be full of tension. Eye-Spy is a perennial favorite of children and adults of all ages. Another favorite game that my family enjoyed when the kids were younger, and still do, if the truth be known, is Spot the Lorry. You play by shouting the names of different transport companies while you see the truck. One point for being the first to correctly name the company. The wrong denomination causes a point to be lost. The winner is the person with the highest score at the end of the trip. This is a great game to help teach colors, shapes, and reading.

These are just a few of the fun activities you can use to beat the Christmas blues and keep your kids busy; No money or technology required!